Description
You won’t regret it.
Craftsman Crate is our answer to a world that has very little to offer hands-on young people.
This is the subscription page for United States and APO/FPO/DPO subscriptions only! For shipping to Canada click HERE, for shipping anywhere else in the world click HERE.
Our own teens came to us, telling us that there were absolutely no hands-on craft- or skill-based kits for older guys. We went out looking and found out they were right! We couldn’t find a thing, so we got together with our teen and adult kids and started developing some. We sold the first ones here on RaisingRealMen.com and people loved them, but they told us they wanted us to turn it into a subscription box service, so they could just have a new hobby delivered every month and keep their guys happy. Now we have teen guy subscribers, but also teen girls, elderly people, fathers and mothers!
Timeless Skills
Our grandparents were never idle. Their hands were always busy, creating things of beauty and practical use. They were craftsmen and artisans even in their hobbies. Those skills should not be lost to the world.
Real Tools
Our kits include real tools, real books, real supplies, not samples or disposables like so many subscription boxes. Our kits won’t just entertain you for a few hours, but will be there to refer to and enjoy again and again.
Complete Kits
We hate it when we buy a kit and it sits on the shelf while we try to remember to pick up the rest of what is needed from the store. Our aim is instead to give you everything you need to create your first new project right in the box – from lessons and detailed instructions to the smallest supply.
When you subscribe for a year, you save the cost of an entire crate!
Find out more at CraftsmanCrate.com and come back here to subscribe!
Photo gallery shows previous boxes.
Subscriptions renew automatically, but you can pause or cancel anytime on your account page.
Meredeth –
We have absolutely LOVED our craftsman crate subscription! We have gotten a year’s worth of boxes and continue to be impressed. They are well thought out, easy to follow, and my son now has his own collection of real tools and art supplies. We highly recommend these.
Holly –
These subscription boxes aren’t your run-of-the-mill ‘read a bit, do a bit’ projects. They are in-depth, hands-on experiences. Since the subscription’s inception, we’ve done wood burning, wood carving, calligraphy, and metal working. This month, however – as you’ll see in the unboxing – got the “Coolest Kit Ever!” award. The boxes are designed to teach artisan skills, such as those your grandfather or great-grandfather would have learned, and it’s one of the best boxes for teens currently out there. Unboxing – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vd5Yk9PYPo
Sherry Willis –
We have been getting this subscription box since it started for our daughter. She enjoys them so much! They come with everything needed and are great to use with our homeschool.
Carrie Irish –
What a great way to encourage the growth of Hands-On skills. What surprised me the most was my daughter went after the chainmail kit! My almost 6 year old was eager to learn quilling. And I had to buy an extra supplies to make a second caned stool. These are a great way to unplug and learn skills that aren’t taught anymore. I couldn’t recommend them more.
Angela Pattillo –
Not a review but I have a almost 4 yr old grandson is there boxes available for children that small
<div class="apbct-real-user-wrapper"> <div class="apbct-real-user-author-name">Hal and Melanie Young</div> <div class="apbct-real-user-badge" onmouseover="apbctRealUserBadgeViewPopup('apbct_trp_comment_id_104577');"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img" style="align-self: center;"> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup" id="apbct_trp_comment_id_104577"> <div class="apbct-real-user-title"> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-header">The Real Person!</p> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Author <b>Hal and Melanie Young</b> acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.</span> </div> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/shield.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> –
Let me recommend a GREAT box for children that age! It’s called our preschool life and it is WONDERFUL! It is run by our friends at Simply Charlotte Mason and it is top notch. https://ourpreschool.life/
Sarah –
I got a year of this for my 40yr old sister for Christmas. She *adores* it. Every month, I get to see her giddy as a kid telling me about the new crafts she gets to make, the techniques she gets to learn that she’s always been curious about, and her plans for what she’ll do with the projects to make them her own. This is a home run gift for anyone you know who likes to work with their hands! Couldn’t be happier!
Anne –
Thank you for creating these beautiful boxes! My boys have enjoyed the chain mail kits! We even ordered more rings to keep them creating!
Lara Moore –
It’s not clear if once subscribed, we received a random / surprise crate or we choose it at check out? Thank you!
<div class="apbct-real-user-wrapper"> <div class="apbct-real-user-author-name">Hal and Melanie Young</div> <div class="apbct-real-user-badge" onmouseover="apbctRealUserBadgeViewPopup('apbct_trp_comment_id_178429');"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img" style="align-self: center;"> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup" id="apbct_trp_comment_id_178429"> <div class="apbct-real-user-title"> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-header">The Real Person!</p> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Author <b>Hal and Melanie Young</b> acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.</span> </div> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/shield.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> –
Hi Lara, thanks for asking! Each month, we send a crate of the month to our subscribers. It’s a surprise because we’ve found that quite often, people receive a crate they wouldn’t have chosen and found out that they LOVE it. With Craftsman Crate, you get to try a new hobby every month! If you want to try a specific box, you can purchase past boxes while supplies last here. If you are also subscribing, just let us know that you bought that crate because sometimes we repeat popular crates with those who haven’t received them already. Hope that helps, Melanie
Amy (verified owner) –
My 10 year old son loved this! What I love most is that it’s not a one and done activity. He is learning skills and received tools that can and will be used for a long time!
MaryBeth (verified owner) –
I can’t say enough good things about the Craftsman Crate subscription boxes. I ordered them for a friends 12 year old son who loves working with tools and building/creating things. It’s a fun surprise to find at the door each month. And with summer vacation coming they’re perfect for keeping busy.
Liz (verified owner) –
The Craftsman Crate has been a total game changer in our homeschool year! For the last year, we have been using the crate as “art” for each month for my 10 year old son. Not only has he learned several different crafting skills, but he has taken several of the skills that he enjoys and is putting it to practical use by selling his handmade items at the local Farmer’s Market. Not only have these skills he’s learned allowed him to craft handmade gifts for his loved ones, but it has also grown into something that he is learning some entrepreneurial skills through. Obviously, the Craftsman Crate has totally exceeded my expectations. I cannot recommend highly enough.
Laura Mong (verified owner) –
I purchased this subscription as a gift for my 9 year old for Hoss birthday in April. We’ve only received a couple boxes but have been very pleased. You get everything you need to complete the craft. The materials are high quality and the project have been fun and beautiful! We are very pleased!!!
Becky –
Hi! I have two boys… would I need to order two kits or would one suffice for both boys?
<div class="apbct-real-user-wrapper"> <div class="apbct-real-user-author-name">Hal and Melanie Young</div> <div class="apbct-real-user-badge" onmouseover="apbctRealUserBadgeViewPopup('apbct_trp_comment_id_206927');"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img" style="align-self: center;"> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup" id="apbct_trp_comment_id_206927"> <div class="apbct-real-user-title"> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-header">The Real Person!</p> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Author <b>Hal and Melanie Young</b> acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.</span> </div> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/shield.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> –
Hi Becky, thanks for asking! We try to include enough materials and projects that two people can share if they can get along well enough to share tools! The vast majority of crates include at least two projects. In the few that have only one project, that project is big enough that two could work together on it. Some of our subscribers order a crate for each child and others have their children share a crate. It’s up to you!
Laura –
this is not a review, but a question. All the reviews (most) are from parents of children. Would this be appropriate for a man retiring? He does have a lot of tools and skills just from 50 years of home ownership. Would these boxes be to juvenile?
<div class="apbct-real-user-wrapper"> <div class="apbct-real-user-author-name">Hal and Melanie Young</div> <div class="apbct-real-user-badge" onmouseover="apbctRealUserBadgeViewPopup('apbct_trp_comment_id_212604');"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img" style="align-self: center;"> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup" id="apbct_trp_comment_id_212604"> <div class="apbct-real-user-title"> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-header">The Real Person!</p> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Author <b>Hal and Melanie Young</b> acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.</span> </div> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/shield.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> –
We have a lot of adult subscribers of all ages! Older adult guys are just much less likely to leave reviews – unless they are unhappy.
We try to make sure there are patterns/projects included that are suitable for beginners and those that are suitable for more advanced crafters. I doubt anyone would think they were too juvenile!
Kristal Stahl –
Question: After how many months do projects start repeating themselves? Is this a 1-year thing and then it starts over?
<div class="apbct-real-user-wrapper"> <div class="apbct-real-user-author-name">Hal and Melanie Young</div> <div class="apbct-real-user-badge" onmouseover="apbctRealUserBadgeViewPopup('apbct_trp_comment_id_221696');"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img" style="align-self: center;"> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup" id="apbct_trp_comment_id_221696"> <div class="apbct-real-user-title"> <p class="apbct-real-user-popup-header">The Real Person!</p> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/real_user.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Author <b>Hal and Melanie Young</b> acts as a real person and verified as not a bot.</span> </div> <div class="apbct-real-user-popup-content_row"> <img src="/wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/css/images/shield.svg" class="apbct-real-user-popup-img"> <span class="apbct-real-user-popup-text">Passed all tests against spam bots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> –
They never repeat! We come up with a new crate every single month. We do bring back the most popular crates of the past sometimes for those who haven’t received them yet, but we keep track of what every subscriber has received so you will never receive a repeat.
Thomas family (verified owner) –
We loved Craftsman crate. There were a lot of hands on projects that my boys enjoyed. It’s very hard to find crates for teenage boys that don’t involve clothes or food. This was what attracted us to Craftsman crate. I learned right along with them, it was fun!
cgoodman5 –
These crates are just right! Challenging yet relaxing, and wonderfully suited for teens – adult. We purchased a year subscription for our fourteen year old boy, but our eleven year old certainly daughter has her eye on them ;);) Definitely worth the money as the products are quality, and provide inspiration for future endeavors. Plus, you just can’t beat the customer service!
Shamene P (verified owner) –
My 9 year old son had a subscription from a different company last year. He loved getting them in the mail, but my biggest complaint was the were a “one and done” type of activity. We were looking to upgrade him to something a little more advanced and he said he wanted to try these. He LOVES them. I love them. He gets to learn something new and make something useful that we can actually use regularly. The “history” card that comes with the box is neat and he insists on hanging them all on the fridge. The best part is that he has pulled the crates out again to make gifts for people! Thank you so much for all the work that goes into these. We appreciate you and your family!
sedeierlein (verified owner) –
Excellent quality products and even better customer service! I highly recommend working with Craftsman Crate, whether for yourself or if you are giving this subscription as a gift, it will not disappoint. I plan to spread the word. Just a wonderful company! Thank you for all you do!
Erika Crandall (verified owner) –
I first ordered the subscription not knowing if my 17 year old would be interested at all, but as soon as he got the first box he went straight into his room and started the project! I was very happy with the quality of the materials and how great their instructions are. Highly recommend.
Rebekah (verified owner) –
This is a great concept and an even better product. My son and 2 daughters have all really enjoyed exploring the projects, and it is SO nice to have all of the supplies and instructions pulled together and ready to open and go. I have been very impressed with the variety of projects, and an added bonus is that these have provided some unique items that my kids have been excited to give as gifts. Plus the customer service is top-notch! If you are looking for screen-free, hands-on, skill-building fun, this is it. A great product from great people!!